Equity & Accessibility
The Cinematheque has a longstanding commitment to ensuring the organization is accessible for all of our patrons, volunteers, learners, and staff. We are committed to continual and responsive assessment of how we can make our organization and facility more accessible and equitable.
Wheelchair Access
The theatre is wheelchair accessible and has four wheelchair spots with adjacent companion seats. If you have a mobility impairment and require assistance in attending a screening, we are happy to provide your companion with a complimentary ticket. You can notify us in advance via phone (604 688 8202) or email (info@thecinematheque.ca), or speak to someone at our box office when you arrive.
The wheelchair spots with adjacent companion seats are also available for anyone with a disability who requires accommodation.
Restrooms
Our universal washroom facilities are located on the ground floor, for use by people of all genders. The washrooms were renovated in 2023 and include private, single-stall toilets (no urinals). There is a button-operated motorized entry door, and two wheelchair accessible stalls.
- The main restroom doorway width is 39 inches.
- The accessible stalls doorway width is 35 inches.
- The sink countertop height is 35 inches.
- Soaps are scent free.
Discounted & Community Tickets
Discounted tickets are available for students and seniors (65+), and free-admission screenings and streaming options are presented when possible. We make complimentary tickets available to a range of community groups and organizations, for individuals who face financial or other barriers to attending our screenings. Please contact us if you think your group or organization could benefit from this.
Hearing Assistance
Assistive Listening Systems are available from our box office for people to sign out free of charge. A signal is fed directly from our audio system to the supplied hearing assistance device. The device fits over the ears and the user can adjust the volume to suit their needs. Please get in touch if you would like more information. At this time, our Assistive Listening Systems are not telecoil enabled. All screenings of non-English-language films will have English subtitles.
Seat Dimensions
Our seats are 53.3 cm wide, armrest to armrest, and 43.2 cm high, measured from the ground up.
Learning & Outreach
We strive to make our outreach programs in filmmaking, media literacy, and film studies accessible. Our approach is informed by cutting edge research in educational practice as well as feedback from teachers, community partners, and program participants. Our programs are affordable and often free of charge, and participants facing financial, educational, and/or social barriers are always eligible for financial support. We prioritize programming for youth-at-risk of various backgrounds, including addictions, LGBT2Q+, and alternative learning. Please get in touch by email learn@thecinematheque.ca if you are interested in a particular program but require additional support.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
The Cinematheque stands in solidarity with those fighting against racism and for justice, equity, and meaningful change. We will continue to support and amplify the voices of Indigenous, Black, and other racialized filmmakers by investing in their work and making it accessible to our diverse communities. But we must, all of us, do better.
In fall 2020, The Cinematheque’s board and staff began an equity, diversity, and inclusion process to take a holistic look at how The Cinematheque can best operate as an inclusive and accessible institution with anti-racist values and practices.
We shared a survey with our audience members, staff, and volunteers to gather input from our community at this early stage in the process. This survey is now closed, but we welcome questions and input on this topic at any time. A summary of the results will be publicly available soon.
The Cinematheque also became a Community Fund Partner with the SEARA (Sector Equity for Anti-Racism in the Arts) Fund. You can find out more about this fund here.
In December 2020, we employed Michelle Buchholtz and Alycia Fridkin to run an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Visioning Session for Cinematheque staff and board as the beginning step in creating an organizational Equity Visioning Statement.
In 2021 and beyond, we plan on sharing more about this process and invite further participation from volunteers, patrons, and the general public.